Deliciously Patriotic Desserts for Your July Fourth Cookout

With Independence Day right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the menu for those backyard barbecues. The hot dogs and hamburgers are a given, but when it comes to dessert, do something a little out of the ordinary this year. Try one of these patriotic recipes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies [Allrecipes]
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic American treat, which makes them a no-brainer for the 4th of July. This simple recipe is also easy to double, which means you can make a batch big enough for the entire party. Plus, you probably already have all the ingredients on hand, so you won't have to brave the grocery store a few days before the holiday.

Flag Cake [Food Network]
If you want to go a bit bigger, take Ina Garten's advice and make her Flag Cake. True to Ina's cooking style, this cake features ample amounts of butter, sugar, and other traditional ingredients—nothing trendy here. But the addition of cream cheese frosting and fresh berries, laid out to evoke the American flag, bring a freshness and airiness to this otherwise dense cake.

Patriotic Gelatin Salad [Taste of Home]
You don't have to be a seasoned baker to recreate the cute, festive Jello salad. It's as simple as layering red, white, and blue gelatin in a fluted tube pan and sticking it in the fridge. By the time you're done, each slice of this Jello salad will look like a sliver of the American flag.